Streets of Alanya Are Empty! Local Shopkeepers Await a Solution

Süleyman Türköz, who works at a boutique store, said they see this year as a “year of self-criticism” and emphasized that the decline in tourism is mainly due to high prices and some dishonest shopkeepers excessively raising prices. Türköz underlined the seriousness of the situation by saying, “We all make a living from tourism. We need to question ourselves.”

Another shopkeeper, Ahmet Turna, stated that the current stagnation is far more serious compared to previous years. He called on the Mayor to promote Alanya more actively. He mentioned that the streets and shops are empty, and tourists just look at the shop windows and leave without buying anything. Turna added that shopkeepers are unable to make a profit and many stores are currently closed.

İsmail Yıldırım, who has been a shopkeeper for 36 years, said he had never experienced such a difficult season and noted that the lack of tourists has significantly affected business. Yıldırım expressed his concerns, asking, “How will these rents be paid? How will these debts and expenses be covered?”

Yıldırım also said that the recent increase in store closures is mainly due to the pressure exerted by “brand lawyers.” He explained that tourism shopkeepers are under pressure from trademark attorneys, putting them in a difficult position. He argued that if demands to remove brand items continue, there will be no tourism shopkeepers left.

Shopkeepers in Alanya are waiting for solutions to the ongoing stagnation and fear even greater difficulties by the end of the season.